Dinner for the Judiciary 2024 and the Launch of a Ground-Breaking New Initiative.
The Pavillion at Guildford Cricket Club was the venue for the ‘Dinner for the Judiciary’ hosted by the current High Sheriff – Shahid Azeem DL – an annual event to celebrate and thank those people in the County for their dedication and service whilst supporting the Judiciary system. Also in attendance were HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux and his wife Sarah and The Leader of Surrey County Council – Tim Oliver OBE.
The excellent meal was prepared and served by ‘Surplus to Supper’ and for every person dining, three additional meals per person will be provided for people in need in the community – Mr Azeem thanked Claire Hopkins and her remarkable team for making this possible. Claire spoke to the guests about the charity and how it bridges the gap between food waste and food poverty. In September they converted three tonnes of surplus food PER DAY into thousands of meals that are channelled through 150 local charities. Find out more at www.surplustosupper.org
The High sheriff talked about his engagements so far and particularly praised Surrey Police having seen for himself the challenges they face “Their professionalism, resilience and compassion were nothing short of inspiring” he said.
His journey also took him to the courts where he visited the JPS Magistrate and observed a case, “These visits have given me a deeper understanding of the critical work done in the justice system every day. I also had the chance to visit HMP High Down where I initially planned to spend just a few hours but ended up staying the entire day, captivated by the work and dedication of the staff particularly moved by an inspiring Imam who delivers sermons to over 200 Muslim prisoners, his dedication to fostering hope and guidance was remarkable”
HHJ Patricia Lees – Resident Judge of Guildford, paid tribute to the High Sheriff with a speech about his achievements and contribution so far in his role and the evening was wrapped up by Michael Kelly JP who made good use of the occasion to launch an exciting new initiative – ‘The Magistrates Employers Forum’.
Magistrates are a critical cornerstone of the British Justice system. There are 160 or so Magistrates sitting on the Surrey bench and they are a cadre of volunteers sitting across criminal, youth and family jurisdictions, 64% of which are Women, which is higher than the national average. In England and Wales each year magistrates administer justice in over 90% of criminal cases, and the majority of civil cases. In this country we truly are globally unique in our reliance on volunteer judicial office holders to administer our criminal and civil justice. In the last 14 years national Magistrate numbers have halved – that is an unsustainable trend in our country. One of the challenges for the Surrey Magistracy is that two thirds of our bench are in employment. This brings challenges for individual Magistrates, their employers, and the courts. Individual Magistrates must balance their Judicial and their work duties. Employers must accommodate their employee Magistrates whilst successfully running their own organisations and of course the Court service must be cognisant of the demands and challenges on Magistrates time, both at home, at work and in the courtroom.
“Frankly to remove barriers to employees becoming and staying Magistrates is also to set the conditions for greater diversity in the Magistracy. Socio economic, age and ethnic diversity, can all be unlocked by breaking down these barriers. Which is why tonight so I’m proud to share with you the establishment of ‘The Magistrates Employers Forum’, an organisation born here in Surrey under the leadership of The High Sheriff to help break down barriers to employees becoming and remaining magistrates.”
The Magistrates were then invited to support and promote the initiative as it is established, an initiative that will no doubt also highlight the valuable relationship fostered between the Judiciary, The High Sheriff and Surrey Lieutenancy.
“Surrey is reliant on volunteer Magistrates – most of whom work. Society and justice benefits from a diverse magistracy. The Magistrates employer’s forum is today born in Surrey! This organisation would not exist without the vision, work and Patronage of our High Sheriff, of our Lord-Lieutenant – Michael More-Molyneux, and the Chair of Surrey Magistrates – Dee Wilkinson – on behalf of Surrey Magistracy and all of us – Thank You.” – Michael Kelly JP.
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